Roll up map case



G. C. CORLEY ROLL UP MAP CASE Dec. 8, 1953 Filed June 14, 1951 Patented Dec. 8, A1953 OFFICE My invention relates to'improvements in arollj'up map case, and it includes ,the featureshdescribed in the specification, claim and the accompanying drawing.

f VThe purpose of this inventionis toconstitute an improvement over the subject matter of Patent No. 2,346,908, granted to me on April 18, 1944, which modifies the zipper binding on all edges of that patent; that binds three of its edges permatively atsurface; and that because of` the'narrowness of the strips the entire caseis rollable into. small compass. y I

VWith'these and other related ends in-view, I illustrate on the accompanying drawing such instances of adaptation as will illustrate the related features shown thereon and described herein without limiting to the specific details shown thereon and described herein.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an opened case.

Fig. 2 is an edge of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of a rolled-up case.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 6 of Figure l.

Fig. 5 is an elevation in section of the lower portion of line 5 of Figure 1.

Fig. 6 is an elevation in section of the upper portion of line 6 of Figure 1.

In practically using my invention, I may have recourse to make such modications as the exigencies of varying conditions may demand without departing from the broad spirit of the invention.

The rollup map case comprises an enclosing canvas backing I which is permanently closed on all edges by binding ll. It includes two layers of canvas I. Between these layers there is a plurality of stifening slats 2, which serve as reinforcing slats, that are held in spaced apart relation by thread stitching 3 of the two layers to each other.

The underside layer of canvas I extends lengthwise beyond the area of the slats to form a closing ap 5. On this extension there is a transverse pocket B that is closed by a zipper 8.

On the front face, a flexible transparent cover 9 with bindings I0 at the edges is secured to the Slat-holding layers I by the edges bindings at the bottom, the left and top edges. The binding III on the right edge the transparent cover sheet 9 which is secured to the Slat-holding layers I includes a zipper I2. The bindings III are secured to the top surface of the transparent sheet 9,

.,seureda .narrow-tying strip'II',l andfalongff-the #right-hand. edgethere issecured .a `narrow floop forming `r.ai carrying strap., I5. At ythe,.feitnerrvie bottom edge of the covering flap 5, therefiasecured between its layers a narrowj.-.reiniorcing' S'fI-Qfjvllyjf- Y. v f .--fj f V. :..Ifn order to lsecure-'fa practical rollup feature, Lthe: two .backing layersv of `canvas `haveplacedfa plur alfitylof, narrow .1 crosswisa. reinforcing slats ..2.;..These,slats areiheld inv spaced apart relation .from .eachelother`bytransverse seams 3 across .both-layers I .of .the canvas.. These slats 2 termi nateat their. endsjust inside of the .edgeubind- .ing .Y v,"Il1'e --arrangementsof .the lassociated partis. Fis "such that by'reaso'f'the large number of stiffening slats 2 the case will lie practically iiat on the lap of the user or a table for the offcer using the rollup case.

The case is rolled up, as shown by I 4 in Fig. 3, commencing with the top edge of Fig. 1 of the transparent cover 9, onto itself over the entire length of the slatted area, nally including the extended covering iiap into a relatively small diameter where it is secured in the rolled up condition by a pair of narrow tying strings 1.

At the right hand edge of the transparent cover where the edge is secured to the back by a zippered closure I2 of the length of the cover, there is secured a strong loop I5 for carrying the rolled up case.

The portion of the base beneath the transparent cover is available for the insertion of strategy eld plans, maps etc., and the zippered `pocket 6 in the canvas extension 5 that forms the last rollup portion of the case, may contain accessories such as pencils, measuring scales, erasers, pens etc.

Facing the front or open face of the transparent cover at its bottom edge, there is a wide reinforcing strip I3 that is sewn in the backing I. By reason of every edge of the case being bound including the zippered transparent cover, the contents of the case are secured against damage by moisture, etc.

As shown, the case is smaller in size than the one shown in my issued patent referred to above. It is understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to any related structural dimension. The improvement of this simplified case is due to the fact that the single length of zippered edge rolls up with the zippered members lying flatwise 3 in relation to each other in contrast to the zippered members on all edges of the case issued patent.

The reinforcing tape I 0 on all edges of the transparent sheet 9 prevents it from becoming detached and it causes the sheet to lie against the material that is stored beneath the sheet for protection against damage by moisture or otherwise. The binding l0 is stitched or otherwise held attached to the fabric I on three edges, The fourth edge is occupied by the zipper I2.

The roll-up map case is related to my Patent No. 2,346,908 issued on April 18, 1944, for Flexible Rollup Drawing Board in some of its features. If desired the tie-up flap 5 with its extra pocket 6 may be discarded and the strings 1 attached below the lower edge of the transparent sheet 9. The safety features of the transparent cover will be retained. The remaining part of the roll-up map case may be rolled up from either the top or bottom edges as desired. The transparent sheet 9 is composed of Ethyl Cellulose which retains its elasticity under subzero temperature conditions.

The present device is compact and of relatively small dimensions that is useable under all emergencies and may be carried in the overcoat pocket.

What I claim is:

A rollup carrying case for maps or the like including in combination, first, second and third flexible layers positioned one above the other to form a thin structure,` said first and second layers including rectangular base portions and ap portions, a plurality of parallel reinforcing slats positioned between said base portions of said first and second layers in spaced apart relation to each other, said base portions of said rst and second layers being secured together to hold the same in position so that a relatively rigid table-like unit is formed for supporting maps or the like, said third layer forming a cover over said tablelike unit and including a transparent sheet and a binding about the edges thereof secured to the upper side of said sheet, said transparent sheet being adapted to be in direct Contact with said second layer over substantially the entire area of said transparent sheet, means for permanently securing the edges of said base portions of said first and second layers and the edges of said binding of said third layer directly together to provide a unitary structure including a rectangular enclosure above said table-like unit for carrying maps or the like, said binding along one side of said transparent sheet including detachable closure means of fiat configuration extending in the plane of said third layer to provide an opening into said enclosure, the edges of said ap portions of said rst and second layers being secured together to form a protecting flap for said base when said case is rolled up, one of said flat portions including therein detachable closure means of flat configuration and extending in the plane of said flap portions providing an opening into the pocket formed between said flap portions of said iirst and second layers, said entire case forming a relatively thin structure adapted to be rolled up in the form of a cylinder, and means for securing said base and said flap in rolled-up condition.

GALE C. C'ORLEY.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

